Just got back from an airshow in Battle Creek

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Dash
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Just got back from an airshow in Battle Creek

Post by Dash » Sun Jul 03, 2005 6:28 pm

I had the best time today. For 5 hours I enjoyed everything from helicopters, an F-117, F15, THE United States Air Force THUNDERBIRDS, and sooo much more. I took many pictures but it is impossible for me to show them all. Here are just a few :)

I'm all set to go with my radio scanner, binoculars, audio splitter (which I didn't use btw, my friend bailed out on me, so I went alone..), extra contacts (just in case), and NO I didn't bring the newspaper (I was NEVER bored).
http://img28.imageshack.us/img28/1815/dscn00014pf.jpg

This guy in the picture flew over 1300 hours, 40 traps, in an F/A-18, while a marine. He recently moved to an A-10 squadron stationed in Michigan.
http://img28.imageshack.us/img28/1223/dscn00288cw.jpg

I was driving by and I saw these cool looking airplanes hidden behind this hanger, so I took a look. Ever seen these before? ;)
http://img28.imageshack.us/img28/2271/dscn00062yh.jpg

Some prop plane pics..boring :P
http://img300.imageshack.us/img300/8245/dscn00499hw.jpg
http://img300.imageshack.us/img300/1573/dscn00411aw.jpg
http://img301.imageshack.us/img301/1207/dscn00347dt.jpg

Some cool stunts!
http://img300.imageshack.us/img300/962/dscn01134co.jpg
http://img301.imageshack.us/img301/7781/dscn01146gi.jpg

And, the birds!
http://img301.imageshack.us/img301/8153/dscn01300ew.jpg
http://img301.imageshack.us/img301/8761/dscn01341pu.jpg
Spread right before roll:
http://img301.imageshack.us/img301/6325/dscn01445ul.jpg

more birds..
http://img301.imageshack.us/img301/3506/dscn01511mr.jpg
overtake:
http://img301.imageshack.us/img301/3299/dscn01582td.jpg

Freakin SWEET line abreast:
http://img74.imageshack.us/img74/2212/dscn01679ws.jpg

I spy 6 thunderbirds..
http://img74.imageshack.us/img74/7295/dscn01769io.jpg

http://img74.imageshack.us/img74/862/dscn01839cr.jpg
http://img301.imageshack.us/img301/1690/dscn01786yb.jpg

Well that's all, hope YOU enjoyed the pictures, as much as I enjoyed the show!

btw, their High BB was not so great, the one in the VTBirds first video was much better, but then again, they are actually doing this in real life..duh..
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Lawndart
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Post by Lawndart » Mon Jul 04, 2005 1:51 pm

So, they flew 6 planes! Who flew the #3 jet? Maybe I'm behind, but I thought Callaghan wouldn't be demo ready until late July...

Nice pics!

LawnDart
Dash
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Post by Dash » Mon Jul 04, 2005 3:00 pm

You know, I couldn't tell you who flew the #3 jet unfortunately. I would assume they have the same line-up as displayed on their website? BTW, quite a while before the show, I drove around to the hanger where the Tbirds were and looked at the jets. I saw 8 jets, but one jet had two seats instead of 1, and it had a fuel tank underneath as well. Anyone know what's up with that?

actually, the third picture I posted shows the airplane..
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STRIKER
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Post by STRIKER » Mon Jul 04, 2005 3:53 pm

Dash wrote:You know, I couldn't tell you who flew the #3 jet unfortunately. I would assume they have the same line-up as displayed on their website? BTW, quite a while before the show, I drove around to the hanger where the Tbirds were and looked at the jets. I saw 8 jets, but one jet had two seats instead of 1, and it had a fuel tank underneath as well. Anyone know what's up with that?

actually, the third picture I posted shows the airplane..
Thats #8's jet. They use that as spare mostly and also for incentive rides.

http://www.f-16.net/f-16_photos_album71-photoabc.html


Flying the Friendly,
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BonJobie
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Post by BonJobie » Mon Jul 04, 2005 6:25 pm

I was wondering the same thing about the full diamond. Maybe the put Maj Callaghan in early because he was up to speed; however, that would be surprising. Sgt Garcia told me he had a 56 sorties syllabus to finish and the USAF rarely cuts corners in training, if ever. But I can't think who else it would be. I will check my sources and see who that was. It was either Chris Callaghan, Brian Burns or Silent Eagle. 8) We'll see.

Bon
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Dash
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Post by Dash » Mon Jul 04, 2005 8:38 pm

Take a look at this... http://www.f-16.net/f-16_photos_album71-photoack.html ...why is the number 5 on the fuselage upside down?
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BonJobie
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Post by BonJobie » Mon Jul 04, 2005 10:31 pm

The reason the #5 is inverted is because he is the lead solo and flies the majority of his maneuvers upside down! If you look on his flightsuit his number is also upside down.

Bon
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Dash
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Post by Dash » Mon Jul 04, 2005 10:36 pm

haha, you know, that's what I was thinking. I figured it had to do with him being upside down all time time...haha. I suppose the upside-down 5 on his flightsuit is just for kicks huh? since no one with normal eyes can see that from the ground..

I'm always learning new stuff about this team!
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lieutfunaki
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Post by lieutfunaki » Tue Jul 05, 2005 3:19 am

Everyone knows that Jet no. 8 is solely kept for the enjoyment (I mean education) of the flight surgeon ;-)
With a name like Smucker's, it has to be good.®

Athlon 64 3200+, 3 GB DDR 400, GeForce 7600GS 512MB, 21" monitor
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TBT_Piper
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Post by TBT_Piper » Thu Jul 07, 2005 5:03 am

hehehe lieutfunaki.

I dislike hazy airshows though. They take away from the full experience of the flights.
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Dash
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Post by Dash » Thu Jul 07, 2005 11:38 am

Man, that airshow was the exact opposite of hazy. There wasn't a cloud in the sky. And it was about 95 degrees. ZERO precipitation. The "fog" you see in the pictures is simply a display of my lack of funding to get a not-4-year-old digital camera...:)

In other words, it's a piece of #&($#@$&*(#@%^!)(!@(#*&^%$#&@@(*%&$@!@(#*#$@&

sometimes it will turn on, sometimes it won't
sometimes it will take the picture, sometimes it won't
sometimes it won't turn on and will still take a picture!
how? gosh..
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TBT_Piper
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Post by TBT_Piper » Fri Jul 08, 2005 7:46 am

I guess that cam is a 1982 POS :) I suggest is canon :)
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Dash
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Post by Dash » Fri Jul 08, 2005 12:33 pm

It's a Nikon. The best in it's time. Too bad it's not it's time anymore
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